Generous gift ensures continued healthcare delivery for north West Queensland

Date published

22 Apr 2020

The Royal Flying Doctor Service will be even better equipped to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in north west Queensland after mining and metals company, South32, donated $100,000 to the Flying Doctor in Mount Isa.

The generous donation will be targeted to assist the RFDS Mount Isa Base, which directly provides healthcare services to the north-west region of Queensland, where South32 has its operation at Cannington Mine, one of the world’s largest producers of silver and lead.

Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer, Meredith Staib, said the RFDS Mount Isa Base would use the funds to continue its efforts on the frontline of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This donation will be used to fund medical and pharmaceutical supplies, flu vaccines for remote communities and disinfectant fog machines for ongoing cleaning of our aeromedical aircraft in Mount Isa,” Ms Staib said.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have so many people and businesses throwing their support behind the RFDS during these testing times, and support such as this shown by South32 will ensure we can deliver on our promise to continue delivering world-class health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“From everyone at the Flying Doctor in Queensland and from everyone who this money will help, we would like to say thank you to South32 for their incredible support.”

Cannington Mine Vice President Operations Rob Jackson said that South32 is committed to responding to COVID-19.

“The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides essential services to many remote parts around Australia and companies like ours rely on them to help provide care to our workforce and communities,” Mr Jackson said.

“We want to thank the organisation and staff for their tireless efforts in helping respond to COVID-19.”